Twitter= Instant Gratification
Last night, I was teaching a graduate level sports management class at Long Beach State. A student posed a question about how to differentiate themselves from others when trying to look for a job in sports.
As one example, I took the time and explained the benefits of Twitter, the flavor of the month in technology and sports media. It allows you to connect with people, have real discussions, learn and share ideas. Not many of them were buying into the idea. A few had tried it, signed up, but no one was a real believer of this new media. Many of them asked the question, ‘What do I have to say that would make people follow me?’ So I showed them the impact Twitter can have by asking a question to people that do follow me. In the middle of class. With Twitter live on the screen for everyone to see.
I stopped class and posed this question:
I am tweeting while teaching my sports mgmt class at Long Beach State tonight. Any advice for students that want a job in sports?
Almost immediately I received the following responses from people that believed it was worth the time to comment for the class.
I have cut and pasted the comments for you to see as well. If you do not know Twitter, the information at the beginning is the users name, followed by my handicap (sportsinfo101) and then their comment.
Meaghery@sportsinfo101 For pro,encourage sales training, be comfortable selling on phone. For college, learn NCAA rules. (via @SteveDittmore)1 minute ago from Tweetie
Jumpingje@sportsinfo101 so awesome you are incorporating twitter into lectures! I wish my professors knew more about it!about 1 hour ago from TweetDeck in reply to sportsinfo101
Liz_McFarland@sportsinfo101 My advice may be too late – but it is to do ANYthing even if it is on a volunteer basis. Let people know you.about 1 hour ago from Twitterrific in reply to sportsinfo101
The_Xman@sportsinfo101 Love the sport you pursue for work. Love working. Otherwise, there are other fields to pursue.about 1 hour ago from TwitterBerry
alancassinelli@sportsinfo101 get an internship and treat it like the job of your life. Recommendations>Resumesabout 1 hour ago from web in reply to sportsinfo101
joelkatte@sportsinfo101 Tell your students to stretch, think outside the batter’s box, step in & face the heaters & not be afraid when brushed backabout 1 hour ago from web in reply to sportsinfo101
businesswonk@sportsinfo101 I have sport MBA.So whay? U have to take ur lumps. Figure out early where in sports u want to work and specialize. #sportsbizabout 2 hours ago from TwitterFon in reply to sportsinfo101
SoccerMarketer@sportsinfo101 Gain experience via internships, build relationships, and use social media platforms to maintain contact with sports execsabout 2 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to sportsinfo101
SteveDittmore@sportsinfo101 For pro, I encourage sales training, be comfortable selling on phone. For college, learn NCAA rules. Compliance is essential.about 2 hours ago from TwitterGadget in reply to sportsinfo101
nickhorder@sportsinfo101 be persistent and build up plenty of contacts, am looking to forge a career in sports mgt in Australia after 10yrs in financeabout 2 hours ago from web in reply to sportsinfo101
bgcduke7@sportsinfo101 be flexible but ambitious, do whatever u have 2 but be creative enough to prove your worth, embrace the biz not as just a fan
So incredible and instant gratification for all. The students could get answers right away to this question and much more. My only hope now is that they put the example to use and sign up and begin building their own brand. By reading this, I hope you do too. Have a terrific weekend. For those of you that know the lingo. #followfriday. Enjoy!
